Guides, tips, and resources for woodworkers.
May 11, 2026Honest 2026 comparison of OptiCutter alternatives. Free web tools without part-count limits, cabinet shop options, pricing, mobile experience, and who each cut list optimizer fits.
May 11, 2026Honest 2026 comparison of MaxCut alternatives for cut list optimization. Web-based free options, Mac and Linux picks, pricing, mobile experience, and who each tool fits best.
Apr 25, 2026Honest 2026 comparison of CutListOptimizer, OptiCutter, MaxCut, CutList Plus and CutListCalc. Pricing, mobile experience, algorithm, grain direction, who each cut list calculator fits.
Apr 15, 2026Cutting parts to exact final dimensions sounds efficient, but professional shops oversize most parts on purpose. Here's when to add 1mm, 3mm, or more - and when not to.
Apr 15, 2026A cutting diagram is a map for your saw. Read it wrong and you'll cut parts in the wrong order or orientation. Here's how to interpret each symbol and plan your cut sequence.
Apr 15, 2026The letters on plywood (A, B, C, D, and combinations like A/C or BB/CC) describe face quality. Here's what each grade looks like and which one to buy for your project.
Apr 15, 2026Saw kerf is the slot of material your blade removes on every cut. On a 30-part cabinet job, kerf alone wastes a quarter sheet of plywood. Here's how to plan for it.
Apr 15, 2026Cut list optimizers save material by rotating parts. But on plywood, melamine, and figured panels, free rotation can ruin the look or weaken the structure. Here's when to lock grain direction.
Mar 31, 2026Learn how to reduce plywood waste on your next woodworking project. Tips on nesting, rotation, kerf allowance, and using a cut list optimizer.
Mar 30, 2026Complete guide to plywood sheet sizes in mm and inches. Covers 4x8, 5x5, 4x4 sheets, common thicknesses, and weights per sheet.